7 Reasons Why You Need To Revisit Californication
One of the greatest comedy dramas on TV needs a re-watch...
Californication ran between 2007 and 2014, detailing the often ridiculous and sometimes heartbreaking exploits of Hank Moody (David Duchovny), a famous writer suffering from writers block and attempting to get his family back together, something he himself usually gets in the way of.
Starring Duchovny alongside Evan Handler, Natasha McElhone and Pamela Adlon, the show was created by Tom Kapinos, loosely based on the iconic writer Charles Bukoswksi, and often found itself singled out during its run because of its explicit sex, constant alcohol and drug use, and imaginative profanity.
Needless to say, it can be a divisive show for many, but for the most part it's firmly placed as one of the best comedy dramas on TV, with talks of a revival being in the air since it came to an end after its seventh season.
Receiving solid viewership at the time of its release, it is now regarded as a cult classic.
The following list will have an in-depth look at the reasons Californication needs to be seen - whether you've watched it previously or not at all. Funny, touching, and funny some more, here are seven reasons the show is in need of a revisit.
7. Balance Of Comedy And Drama
Californication
is the apotheosis of TV comedy drama. Rooted for the most part in Hank Moody’s
hilarious misadventures and mistakes, the humour used is often gratuitous and over-the-top,
though still very funny, and allows the characters a chance to be both crass
and immoral whilst managing to remain endearing and likeable.
That being said, the show is no stranger to sitting back and hitting its audience with some serious drama.
From Hank’s confession about his (unknown) illegal liaison with Mia back in the series premiere, to his overdose of pills, to his constantly rocky relationship with his ex and his young daughter, Californication is unafraid to balance its most hysterical aspects with some genuinely effective tear-jerkers.
Mainly, this is down to the actors and the incredibly tight writing; the character arcs of the main characters are exceptionally well put together, all of them very funny but equally heart-wrenching and powerful when it counts. It remains one of TV’s best examples of how life is nothing but a series of ups and downs – funny, exciting, but ultimately very bumpy.